Future Service

North Carolina Passenger Train Fast Facts

A total of over 900,000 passengers boarded trains in North Carolina in 2011.

Train travel time between Raleigh and Charlotte has been reduced by over an hour since the service began in 1995.

North Carolina has 3,384 miles of railroad track and 14 passenger trains serving 16 cities daily.

Over the past 15 years, The N.C. Department of Transportation has invested about $300 million in the state's intercity passenger rail service, including renovation or construction of train stations, track work improvements and corridor preservation.

Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor Development

The U.S. Department of Transportation designated Charlotte to Washington, D.C. as a high-speed rail corridor in 1992. In 1998, SEHSR was expanded south to Macon, Ga. and to Jacksonville, Fl.

North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia partnered to form a 4-state coalition to develop the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor to provide frequent, reliable passenger trains that can travel at top speeds of 90-110 miles per hour, and an average speed of 86 mph.

The corridor is being developed incrementally, upgrading existing railroad right of way.

Benefits of the SEHSR corridor will include enhancing local economies, revitalizing urban centers, improving track safety and capacity, and contributing to environmental sustainability.

Western North Carolina

In March 2001, NCDOT adopted a phased plan to extend
passenger rail service to Asheville and Western North
Carolina. The plan includes renovating or building train
stations that incorporate other community uses. The
department continues to work with communities on station and
rail safety improvements while working to identify funding
to restore passenger rail service to Western NC.

Southeastern North Carolina

In May 2001, NCDOT released results of a feasibility study
that indicated there is interest in passenger rail service
to and from Wilmington. In July 2005, the department released
the results of more detailed studies that identified costs
and some needed improvements for re-establishing service to
Southeastern North Carolina. The study recommended
implementing passenger rail service from Raleigh to
Wilmington via Fayetteville and Goldsboro in phases as
funding becomes available. Other recommendations included
investigating the possibility of commuter service between
Selma and Raleigh and working with the State Ports to
definite benefits and investments needed to re-establish
freight service between Goldsboro and Wilmington.

Commuter Services

At the local level, the NCDOT is working with area transit
authorities to plan commuter rail services for the greater
Charlotte, Triangle and Triad regions.

For more information about commuter rail and transit plans in the major metropolitan areas, visit the following websites.